14 killed in Japan bus accident

The overnight bus left Tokyo Thursday night and was carrying 39 people and two drivers. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency said 13 of the 27 passengers were seriously injured.

The crash occurred at 2am local time on Friday in the Nagano Prefecture in Karuizawa Town.

At least 14 people were killed in the crash and another 27 people were taken to hospital.

It’s been reported that snow and ice were not present and it’s unknown what led the bus to veer on the wrong side of the road before plunging down the embankment.

Media reports said the bus fell 12 feet down the mountainside and landed on its side, with its front window smashed in.

At least 14 people were killed when a bus loaded with tourists headed for a Japanese ski resort crashed through a guardrail and plummeted into a ditch.

Mr Suga, government spokesman, said the transport ministry had launched an investigation into the accident, sending inspectors to the site.

The accident is the latest in a series of highway crashes involving tour buses, which experts attribute to harsh working conditions for long-distance bus drivers.

“I desperately tried to get out and struggled and the next thing I remember is that I was outside”, he said.